Archives

By Gulu Ezekiel

Former Indian captain Mohammed Azharuddin is pinning his hopes of reviving his cricket career on a court verdict later this month.

Banned for life by the Board of Control for Cricket in India two years ago for his alleged involvement in match-fixing, he still harbours lingering hopes of a Test comeback.

Azharuddin played his 99th Test in March 2000, scoring his 22nd century in an innings defeat by South Africa at Bangalore.

The ban followed a Central Bureau of Investigation report into "match fixing and allied malpractices" which was released eight months later and which alleged Azhar had a major role to play in the scandal.

The BCCI initiated its own internal inquiry which endorsed the findings and led to three other Indian Test cricketers being banned - Ajay Sharma (life), Manoj Prabhakar and Ajay Jadeja (both five years).

Azharuddin claimed there were irregularities in the inquiry, however, and filed an appeal in January 2001.

"We will question the legal credentials of the people who investigated the whole issue", lawyer HR Bhardwaj said at the time.

Now, after lengthy delays, Azharuddin has told Man's World magazine that the High Court of Hyderabad has directed the sessions court to give a ruling on the ban on or before 30 October. Overlooked

Media support for him has increased since he complained about an alleged snub by the organisers of the Wisden Indian Cricketer of the Century Awards, which were presented at London's Wembley Conference Centre in July.

"The media needs stories and it needs stars", Hindustan Times sports editor Pradeep Magazine told BBC Sport Online.

"The stories on Azhar have largely been lifestyle-based. But certainly, post-Wisden, there is some sympathy for him in the media now".

Even though he will be 40 next February, Azhar has publicly proclaimed his desire to return to international cricket and play in his 100th Test.

His chances appear remote, however, with India currently enjoying a run of excellent form and possessing a batting line-up as good as any other in world cricket.

"As a sentimental Hyderabadi, I would have been happy to see Azhar play 100 Test matches under normal circumstances.

"But under the present set-up with so many youngsters in the side, he stands little chance, whatever be the court's verdict.

"He would have to start his career from scratch and there would be no time for that", said Poundri Ramsingh Man Singh, manager of India's 1983 World Cup-winning team and former secretary of the Hyderabad Cricket Association.

Pradeep Magazine too feels it would be "a miracle" if Azharuddin made a comeback to the team. Although the player himself is not commenting publicly on the case as it is currently sub-judice, one of his former teammates has gone on record to offer his backing.

Former Test off-spinner Arshad Ayub has been quoted as saying: "I think the BCCI should lift the ban and let him get on with his life".

Azharuddin is one of three Test captains to receive life bans following inquiries. The late Hansie Cronje and Salim Malik failed in attempts to overturn verdicts against them.

Azharuddin's wait will soon be over. (BBC)

News | Business | Features | Editorial | Security
Politics | World | Letters | Sports | Obituaries |

Produced by Lake House
Copyright 2001 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
Comments and suggestions to :Web Manager